Cullerton: Pension issue could bypass committee

CHICAGO — Illinois Senate President John Cullerton says the state's pension crisis could be addressed in the fall legislative session even if a committee working on it remains split.

The Chicago Democrat tells The Associated Press in an interview that lawmakers could bypass the committee and call a vote through another legislative route.

An AP survey found that five of the pension committee's 10 members still had concerns with a proposed $138 billion savings plan. The Legislature cannot consider a committee proposal unless it is signed by six members.

Cullerton says the General Assembly shouldn't get "locked in" to the committee report. He says the proposed savings plan could be placed in another bill.

Illinois' $97 billion unfunded pension liability is the nation's worst after lawmakers skipped or shorted payments for years.